Love letter: In honor of a teenage marriage that lasted 56 years

Because, after all, it's Valentine's Day, we thought we'd share this letter Warrenton's Gladys Dyer wrote in honor of Keith, her late husband of 56 years.

And they say teenage marriages won't work or last. I have to challenge that. We were high school sweethearts and were married for 56 years before my lover and husband passed away. Our love grew stronger every year. The memories he left me I will treasure forever. I feel I am the richest woman on Earth, having such a wonderful life with the man I love.

This is my story:

Keith Dyer and Gladys Nygaard were high school sweethearts. Keith was the handsome quarterback and Gladys was the high school yell leader. In January of 1951, Keith was drafted and went into the Navy. He was stationed in San Diego. He didn't like the idea of being apart, so he went over the hill and he and Gladys eloped. Gladys had a scholarship to Pacific University but decided to give it up to marry Keith, and was never sorry for the decision.

We had four wonderful sons who were such a blessing to us, and always will be. Our oldest, Jon, was killed in an airplane crash March 14, 1981. That was the hardest heartbreak we had to go through. Our second son, Don, married Gail Primus and is a tugboat captain. They had two sons, Paul and Bryan. Paul married Katie. Our third son, Ron, married Linda Lovvold and is a teacher at Tualatin High School and is also a baseball coach. They have two children, Mark and Ronda. Our fourth son, Tom, married Ginny Schlecht and is a state policeman.

They have three sons, Andrew, Stephen and David, and adopted two daughters, Rachel and Ruby.

Family is so precious. Always treasure your children and you will be blessed beyond any imaginable love you can comprehend. The ability to love is something you are blessed with. Spread it wisely with family and friends and you will be repaid many times over.

When Keith was in the hospital just before he passed away, I was sitting in a chair right by his bed with my head on his chest. We were holding hands. Suddenly, I felt my hand move and jerk. I realized that Keith had taken my hand and lifted it to his lips and kissed it. One final kiss I will treasure forever. Our son Ron watched and tears rolled down his cheeks. Keith passed away shortly (after that).

We had many tragedies in our life but it only made our love stronger. We learned that money can never help you go through theses tragedies, or maybe we should call them life lessons. I thank God for giving me the opportunity to learn this. It is the love you share with your loved one(s) that is the greatest gift God gives you. Cherish it forever.

Keith and I, whenever we had our disagreements, never went to bed without making up before we went to sleep. Making up is a wonderful act of love. Don't miss it.